Department information

Athletics

Maybe it’s the crisp mountain air, the abundant sunshine or the great trails, but at 7,700 feet above sea level – and higher – Western students stay active. Whether you are running on the field or shouting in the stands, everyone is a Mountaineer.

Western’s intercollegiate sports teams compete at the NCAA Division II level as a member of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. NCAA sports at Western include men's and women's basketball, track & field and cross country. Women also compete at the NCAA level in soccer, swimming & diving and volleyball. We have men's football and wrestling teams.

But we also have Club Sports teams that compete with other schools in men's baseball, lacrosse, rugby and ice hockey. Women's club sports include ice hockey, rugby and soccer. There is also a coed cheerleading team.

A special group of clubs comprise Western's unique Mountain Sports program, competing around the country – and the world – in freeride skiing, Nordic & endurance skiing, park & pipe, skier cross and mountain biking.

Scholarships

PLEASE NOTE: Scholarships associated with academic programs usually have a specific scholarship application form that can easily be obtained by contacting that academic program's office or visiting that academic program's web page.

If you have any questions, please contact the Financial Aid office at 970.943.3085 or 800.876.5309.

Borah, Tracy Memorial Wrestling Scholarship

Wrestling Scholarship Available to:

Student may come from any state/country, must be a very promising and accomplished wrestler, maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5, must have completed his freshman year and could be a red-shirted freshman. Not necessarily considered for only financial needs. Provided by: Established by Louie Carleo and other friends and former wrestlers of Tracy Borah to provide scholarship assistance to talented Western State Colorado University student-wrestlers. This scholarship serves to celebrate the memory of Tracy Borah by supporting the kind of Intercollegiate Athlete he cared most about.

Scholarship Amount:

The scholarship shall be for $2,000.

Scholarship Selection Committee:

The Western Head Wrestling Coach, Louie Carleo, and a member of the Borah Family (Candi Borah).

Application:

Due by May 1, must be submitted to the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. Need a letter or recommendation from one of the following: a teammate, previous wrestling coach, assistant Western wrestling coach (NOT Western's head wrestling coach), friend, teacher, or anyone who is on the selection committee. Also, a 250 word essay of the significance of wrestling to his life. Contact the Intercollegiate Athletics Department for additional information. (970) 943-2079 - Paul Wright Gym 210

Bus Riders Football Scholarship

Bus Riders Football Scholarship is Available to:

Student must maintain good standing as a participant of the Western Football team who is eligible to compete per NCAA and RMAC regulations.

Football Scholarship Provided by:

Established by members of the 1950 Football team to honor the team members who survived a bus ride over Monarch Pass when the brakes on their bus failed. The harrowing events made national news and created a lifelong bond between this group of young men.

Selected by:

Champion Leadership & Responsibility Scholarship

Available to: Intercollegiate Athletes that are a junior or senior in Intercollegiate Athletics eligibility standing in their respective sport program(s). Be at least 21 years of age by the first day of classes in the academic year in which they receive the scholarship. Recipient must be enrolled at Western and in good academic standing with a minimum 3.0 GPA, and be a member of a Western State Colorado University Intercollegiate Athletics team. They must be eligible to compete under NCAA and RMAC rules and regulations, and clear a back-ground check conducted by the Office of Student Affairs.

Criteria:10% Intercollegiate Athletics Achievement15% Academic Achievement75% of the criteria is based on the following:Demonstrated leadership and responsibility - this includes responsibility in all aspects of one's life, especially in the area of responsible decision making regarding alcohol.Demonstrated leadership and involvement in campus and off-campus activities including, but not limited to Student Government Association, Student Intercollegiate Athletics Advisory Council, Academic Leadership Program, on and off-campus community service engagement.Community service activities involving responsibilities regarding alcohol and alcohol awareness programs carry additional weight.Continued Expectations:Throughout the year that an applicant receives and represents this scholarship, they are expected to continue to live to the ideals of the scholarship program. They are highly encouraged to engage in at least one service project that has focus on alcohol awareness and responsible behavior.

Charlesworth, William Memorial Scholarship

Charlesworth, William Memorial Mathematics and Natural Science Scholarship Available to:

The applicant has applied to and has been accepted for admission to Western State Colorado University and is pursuing a major in mathematics or related natural sciences. The applicant has demonstrated a need for financial assistance. The applicant has demonstrated an interest and is active in inter-collegiate athletics. Preference should be given to entering freshmen; however, all classes, freshmen through senior, are eligible. Preference should be given to applicants whose study time is limited by family obligations or the need to earn income. No preference should be given based on the sex of the applicant. Preference should be given to applicants from Delta County, Colorado, or from the Western Slope of Colorado.

Scholarship Provided by:

Established with the Western State Colorado University Foundation to perpetuate the memory of William Charlesworth, a 1954 graduate of Western State Colorado University. The express purpose of the fund is to provide financial assistance to student-athletes pursuing majors in mathematics or related natural sciences.

Amount: Award depends on funds available.

Scholarship Recipient Selected by:

Chaired by the chairman of Mathematics and Computer Information Science and shall include a representative from the Athletic Department appointed by the Athletic Director. A representative from the Natural Sciences Department shall be on the selection committee.

Kaczmarek, Herbert J. and Marie H. Memorial Scholarship

Available to:
Recipient must be an active member of a Western intercollegiate sports team. Must demonstrate outstanding character and leadership qualities. Must have both academic promise and financial need with a minimum of 30 credit hours. Preference will be given to applicants from a small town in Colorado.

Scholarship Application:

Kiefer, Brian L. Memorial Scholarship

Kiefer, Brian L. Memorial Scholarship Available to:

Must be a junior or senior member of the Western Men´s or Women's Intercollegiate Basketball team or Western Volleyball team, must demonstrate leadership both on and off the court, must maintain a 3.0 GPA or better, and must maintain a well-rounded educational experience. Extracurricular involvement (outside Intercollegiate Athletics) will be considered.

Scholarship provided by:

Established to perpetuate the memory of Brian L. Kiefer who was an outstanding example of leadership, academic achievement and Intercollegiate Athletic ability. To recognize outstanding scholarship, citizenship and Intercollegiate Athletic ability, and to encourage students to continue their education at Western.

Scholarship amount:

$750.00 per semester. Applicants must reapply and show they have maintained the required eligibility in order to receive the scholarship for the second semester. The recipient shall have his name inscribed on the Brian L. Kiefer plaque displayed in Paul Wright Gymnasium.

Application:

Long, Kelly Memorial Scholarship

Available to: Resident of Colorado, who is accepted by Western admissions and maintained a 3.0 GPA during four years of high school. Must be a participant in intercollegiate wrestling. Provided by: The Kelly Long Memorial Scholarship has been established by Mr. and Mrs. Ron Long to accomplish three major purposes. To perpetuate among contemporary young people the memory of Kelly Long, who was an outstanding example of excellence in citizenship and Intercollegiate Athletics. To reward outstanding scholarship, citizenship and Intercollegiate Athletics ability among Western State Colorado University students. To encourage these outstanding students to continue pursuit of their personal goals and a quality education at Western. Amount: The dollar amount of the scholarship shall be determined by the Western Foundation and the Selection Committee, to be distributed over two semesters, one-half awarded at the beginning of each term. Approximately $700 for the academic year. Selected by: The Western Head Wrestling Coach. Application: Selection by the head Wrestling Coach. Contact the Intercollegiate Athletics Department for additional information. (970) 943-2079 - Paul Wright Gym 210

Student will be selected according to the following criteria (in order): Must be a student-Intercollegiate Athletics participating in a varsity sport at Western State Colorado University. Academic merit (minimum GPA of 3.5 for incoming freshman or 3.2 for current Western students). Involvement in campus activities and/or community service.

MacLennan, Ken Scholarship

MacLennan, Ken Scholarship Available to:

Must be a student-Intercollegiate Athlete participating in a varsity sport at Western and have unmet financial need. Student must have minimum GPA of 2.75 and have a history of community service and a strong work ethic. Preference given to student Intercollegiate Athletes from small or rural towns and to students majoring in Recreation and Exercise & Sport Science.

Myers, Bus Memorial Football Scholarship

Myers, Bus Memorial Football Scholarship is Available to:

Full time student at Western who is an active member of the Western Football Team. Must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or better.

Football Scholarship Provided by:

Established by Mrs. Evelyn Myers and Ms. Cindie Myers to provide scholarship assistance to the football student-Intercollegiate Athletics of Western State Colorado University. This scholarship celebrates the memory of Lowell Herndon "Bus" Myers (Western '40). Western is proud that there will always be a football player in a Mountaineer uniform in the name of Lowell "Bus" Myers.

Amount: Award depends on funds available.

Scholarship Recipient Selected by:

Head Football coach in consultation with his staff and the Intercollegiate Athletics Director.

Pederson/Wright/Borah Memorial Scholarship Fund

Available to:
Full-time student or must have been accepted for admission to Western. Must be a scholar/Intercollegiate Athlete, i.e. must participate in an intercollegiate sport; must have a cumulative GPA of 2.8 or higher; must demonstrate leadership qualities both as an Intercollegiate Athlete and as a student; priority will be given to football, basketball, wrestling and skiing, however all male intercollegiate sports participants are eligible.

Provided by:
This fund was established to honor three great men in the history of Western Intercollegiate Athletics - men whose impact on the college and on the hundreds of students with whom they worked will last forever: Willard "Pete" Pederson, Paul W. Wright and Leroy "Tracy" Borah.

Amount:
Award depends on funds available. Approximately $1000 for the academic year.

Selected by:
Western Intercollegiate Athletics Director, Western Faculty Intercollegiate Athletics Representative, a female member of the coaching staff or faculty, and Candi Borah for as long as she is willing and able to serve.

Porter, Ralph E. Intercollegiate Athletic Scholarship

Full-time students at Western State Colorado University; must be a varsity Intercollegiate Athletics competing in an intercollegiate sport. Priority for selection will be football, basketball, skiing and track. Must maintain a GPA of 2.0 or higher.

Athletic Scholarship Provided by:

Established by Ralph E. Porter to assist selected Intercollegiate Athletics with the payment of tuition charges and living expenses while a full time student at Western.

Amount: Award depends on funds available. Approximately $500 for the academic year.

Scholarship Recipient Selected by:

The Intercollegiate Athleticsletic Director, the Chairman of the Department of Recreation and Exercise & Sport Science and the Executive Director of the Western Foundation.

Randall, Edwin H. Memorial Scholarship

Randall, Edwin H. Memorial Scholarship is Available to:

Seniors at Western State Colorado University who are active members of intercollegiate sports teams, who plan to teach. Must demonstrate superior academic performance; must maintain an overall GPA of 3.0. Must exhibit, in the classroom and in the Intercollegiate Athletics arena, outstanding character and leadership abilities.

Education/Athletics Scholarship Provided by:

Established to honor the memory of Western Professor, Ed "Doc" Randall. Dr. Randall placed great value in both academics and Intercollegiate Athletics. This award was conceived to reward a student-Intercollegiate Athletics who has made admirable progress in teaching or coaching fields.

Reid, Paul and Dorothy Scholarship In Teacher Education

Reid, Paul and Dorothy Scholarship In Teacher Education is Available to:

Must be a full-time Junior or Senior at Western State Colorado University; fully admitted to the Teacher Education Program at the time of selection as recipient. Must be an active participant in a Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference sport and have a 3.0 GPA in the major area of study for a licensure as a teacher.

Rice, Ethel M. Intercollegiate Athletics Scholarship

Rice, Ethel M. Intercollegiate Athletics Scholarship is Available to:

Must be a full-time student or entering freshman. Available to Intercollegiate Athletes from any sport but preference will be given to women's basketball and volleyball players. Must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or greater.

Roberts, John Motor Works Memorial To John Sievers

Available to:
Students participating in the Western wrestling program. Must have a 2.5 GPA in high school or college.

Provided by:
John Roberts of John Roberts Motor Works of Gunnison to memorialize John Sievers, a state wrestling champion at Gunnison High School and a student at Western before entering the military, serving in Vietnam where he was killed in 1970.

Roch, Samuel William Nathaniel Memorial Scholarship

Available to:
Full time students, active members of the cross country or track & field teams, who have demonstrated both academic and financial need. Preference given to minority students and Colorado residents.

Provided by:
Stephen Roch and Lorie Moreno-Roch, both Western Alumni, to honor their beloved son Samuel.

Vandenbusche, George Scholarship

Available to:
Junior or senior student active as a member of the Western men's or women's cross country teams; exhibit outstanding character and leadership in the classroom as well as in the Intercollegiate Athleticsletic arena.

Provided by:
Family to honor the memory of George Vandenbusche who came to the United States from Belgium in 1920. Beginning in 1965 he was employed at Western in the Maintenance Department for the next eleven years.

Amount:
Award depends on funds available.

Selected by:
Donor Scholarship Committee (Head Cross Country Coach). One man and one woman from each cross country team selected.

Wright, Paul W. Memorial Fund

Available to:
Western/RMAC scholar Intercollegiate Athletics. Must have competed at Western State Colorado University for two or more years and have at least one year of eligibility remaining.

Provided by:
Paul W. Wright and his wife Hazel who made immeasurable contributions to students of Western. During his 28 years on the staff (1935-1963), "Frosty" Wright coached every men's sport at one time or another and served as Intercollegiate Athletics director and chairman of the Physical Education Department. He was named to the Helms Intercollegiate Athletics Foundation Hall of Fame in 1970 in partial recognition of his role in establishing skiing as an intercollegiate sport recognized by the NCAA. The gymnasium on the Western Campus is named in his honor.